Production and Marketing of Pak E-nun (Adenia viridiflora Craib) of Farmers in Sawai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Surin Province Production and Marketing of Pak E-nun

Abstract

Pak E-nun (Adenia viridiflora Craib) is a local vegetable with high nutritional value and herbal medicinal properties. This study aimed to investigate production systems, marketing systems, and problems faced by Pak E-nun farmers in Sawai Sub-district, Mueang District, Surin Province. A qualitative research approach was employed, using in-depth interviews with 6 purposively selected experienced farmers. The findings revealed that production systems could be classified into four types based on farm size and production objectives: large-scale commercial diversified variety system, large-scale commercial single variety system, medium-scale semi-commercial system, and small-scale subsistence system. Farmers primarily cultivated the Thawai variety with regular irrigation twice daily and mixed application of chemical and organic fertilizers. In the 2024/2025 growing season, yields ranged from 410-600 kilograms per rai, generating net income of 22,830-32,310 baht per rai. Notably, large-scale commercial systems achieved similar yields per rai as small-scale systems, reflecting labor constraints affecting production efficiency. Marketing analysis showed that farmers sold 60% of their produce through middlemen and 40% through community channels. Farmers in different production systems experienced varying levels of severity in production and marketing problems. However, declining product prices, high dependency on middlemen, and rising chemical fertilizer costs were identified as major problems across all production systems. Development guidelines for production and marketing of Pak E-nun applicable to all farmers include: (1) promoting farmer group formation to enhance bargaining power in marketing, collective procurement of production inputs, and knowledge exchange among members; (2) encouraging farmers to produce and use organic fertilizers to reduce chemical fertilizer dependency; and (3) developing alternative marketing channels to reduce reliance on traditional markets and increase sales opportunities. Additionally, for farmers facing specific challenges, particularly those in small-scale subsistence systems with constraints such as elderly farmers and limited marketing channels, skills development in seedling production for sale or product processing (such as pickled or dried vegetables) should be promoted. Furthermore, pairing with young farmers should be facilitated to support access to markets and new technologies.